Workshops

To view information on each workshop at AMSA2018 – click on the links below. You can register for workshops through the conference registration portal.Workshops are offered only to conference attendees (note: some workshops incur an additional third-party fee and some have limited spaces available)

Sunday 1st July

Marine Biosecurity

Organisers: Dr Richard Stafford-Bell, Dr Craig Sherman

Time: 08:30 – 17:00

Location: The University of Adelaide

Cost: Free

Catering: Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea supplied

Maximum capacity: 40

Description
Responsibility for marine biosecurity is shared across government, industry, researchers and the community.
Up to date knowledge and efficient information flow between sectors is essential to permit response if required and effective management or assessment of impacts. The aim of this workshop will be to identify key knowledge gaps in marine pest research that need to be addressed to provide a more coordinated approach to marine pest management.The workshop will incorporate an overview session followed by smaller break out group discussions where participants will identify knowledge gaps and science priority needs. The output of these discussions will be incorporated into a submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Description
Citizen science has taken off as a way for scientists to increase sampling effort while increasing science…
literacy and engagement of the public. There are however challenges to making it work for everyone. Practitioners and participants of marine citizen science projects/programs are invited to discuss successes, limitations, and lessons learned in order to: 1. learn from one another to work towards best practice models for different types of marine citizen science projects; and 2. develop guidance/frameworks for marine researchers interested in utilizing citizen science to answer research questions. Representation from a variety of projects/programs would be ideal

3D Modelling for Ecology: Getting photogrammetry right in difficult environments

Organisers: Gus Porter, Marine Lechene and Tom Taylor

Time: 14:00 – 17:00

Location: The University of Adelaide

Cost: $15.00

Catering: Afternoon tea supplied

Maximum capacity: 50

Description
This workshop aims to:

Introduce Photogrammetry (strengths and constraints)

Develop hands-on experience with building 3D models, including the use of:

Software

Image capture

Building models

Trouble-shooting

Tips and tricks to optimize the process for different environments

Help participants brainstorm and refine application to their work

Workshop structure:Introduction
Concepts behind photogrammetry. How to “think like an image-set”, what to expect of a model, and some common pitfalls to avoid. Model-building steps, explaining what happens in each. Guidance on image capture.

Hands-on model building
Participants capture their own images of provided objects (smart phone cameras will do). Build models as per instructions provided. Trouble-shoot! Resulting models will certainly not be perfect. Provide insight on what went wrong, and how to fix it. Participants can re-run models with updated photo-sets to look for improvement.

Optimizing for different environments
Photogrammetry is flexible, but needs to be optimized for different applications. Cover camera, lighting, and software settings for each of: Small objects (eg. Corals), large transects (eg. 1,000 m2), terrestrial, drones, micro-scale.

Monday 2nd July 2018

Marine science and indigenous research collaborations workshop.
Improving bi-cultural research development workshop

Time: 13:30 – 18:00

Location: Adelaide Convention Centre, Skyway room

Cost: Purchase of a conference registration is required to attend.

Catering: Conference catering

To attend this workshop you must a registered delegate of AMSA2018 conference.

Description
For the past two years a workshop focused on Indigenous Engagement has been held at the annual Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference. These workshops are aimed at promoting Indigenous engagement in marine science by sharing information on successes and identifying what can be done to advance meaningful collaboration. This is the third workshop of the series and will focus on Indigenous knowledge systems and nation research priorities. The key objective of the workshop is to provide information that will help form better relationships between researchers and Indigenous communities and facilitate bi-cultural research development. Focussing on temperate Australia, this workshop also aims to raise awareness among researchers, funding agencies and policy makers about the value and importance of including Indigenous knowledge and communities in marine science.

WORKSHOP FULL – National Seabed Mapping Coordination Workshop

Maximum capacity: 50 (FULL) email us if you wish to be added to the waitlist.

Description
The National Seabed Mapping Coordination working group is an open group of governments, universities and industry representatives (experts and non-experts) seeking to better coordinate seabed mapping data acquisition and submission (initially focusing on bathymetry, backscatter), in Australian waters. Since 2016, multiple initiatives have been identified that will help coordinate data acquisitions to encourage collaborations, data sharing and reuse of data. These include the development of a government priority map, a National Multibeam Acquisition Guideline, a dedicated website hosting various resources, planning and data management tools and a data portal. This workshop will introduce the initiatives and provide a progress update. We will work actively on initiatives, such as website content, a new in-development tool “QA4Bathy” which aim to simplify, standardise and automate the QA process for multibeam data, and we will discuss how Australia might best contribute to international initiatives such as Seabed 2030. We welcome to this workshop (and working group) all types of users of seabed mapping data as we seek active feedback and define future actions for the working group.

Description
MPA networks are a widely used tool for protecting marine biodiversity. These networks are expected to support spatial and functional connectivity within and between individual MPAs – making networks more effective than single MPAs. The connectivity of an MPA network is critical to its ability to effectively protect the marine species, communities and ecosystems within it. However, the level of connectivity across an MPA network can be hard to measure, and the associated ecological benefits are difficult to demonstrate. We invite relevant experts, including scientists; researchers; stakeholders; policy makers; and, marine managers to join us in this workshop, where we will:

Identify the main challenges and barriers to measuring connectivity across MPA networks.

Generate a set of recommendations for solutions to the challenges of measuring and demonstrating connectivity for the purposes of assessing MPA network effectiveness.

As This workshop is related to the panel discussions coming out of a symposium (S11) being chaired by Alison Wright and Simon Bryars titled ‘Marine biodiversity conservation – what’s effective?’ We aim to produce a collaborative review/perspectives paper from the outputs of this workshop.

CBiCS – Road-testing a new marine ecological classification scheme

Organisers: Dr Adrian Flynn, Dr Matt Edmunds

Time: 18:30 – 21:30

Location: The University of Adelaide

Cost: $10

Catering: Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea supplied

Maximum capacity: 100

Description
Marine ecological classification and ‘habitat mapping’ is required to enter a new phase of sophistication and standardisation to provide adequate metrics for decision support and to deal with the volumes of data generated by new sensing technologies. This workshop will introduce CBiCS, a new marine ecological classification scheme developed for the state of Victoria and rolling out across several Australian and International jurisdictions. The workshop will seek to ‘road-test’ the classification scheme. We will actively seek feedback by prospective end-users in the areas of research, natural resource management, NGOs and community. We will establish an objective testing and feedback-capture process to report on workshop results. For the $10.00 entry fee, each participant will receive a USB drive with instructional training materials.

Prepare high quality applications for sea time on the Marine National Facility Research Vessel Investigator

Organisers: Ben Rae, Carolyn Seelen

Time: 19:00 – 21:00

Location: Adelaide Convention Centre

Cost: Free

Catering: None

Maximum capacity: 40

Description
The introduction of the multidisciplinary research vessel Investigator has attracted an increase in demand for the limited time available on the ship. Applications for sea time are assessed by the National Benefit Assessment Panel (NBAP) and the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) against specific criteria. This workshop will provide the scientific community the opportunity to hear from a panel of members of the SAC, NBAP, MNF Steering Committee members and previously successful Chief Scientists who will convey what constitutes a high quality application; provide a greater understanding of the evaluation criteria; describe how applications are assessed; and, share examples of successful proposals.

Description
The new research vessel Investigator has brought with it an enhanced suite of fixed and modular equipment and an improved capacity to integrate user supplied equipment. As a result, the diversity and volume of data being collected on-board has increased substantially. The MNF has identified the opportunity to review the current MNF Data Policy to better reflect the new operating paradigm, and this consultation workshop will seek input and identify opportunities to improve the relevance and applicability of this policy for our key stakeholders. A Draft Revised MNF Data Policy will be released for comment prior to the conference.

Paper accepted! Now what? Find your way to real impact using animation video and graphics

Organisers: Dr Tullio Rossi

Time: 9:00 – 13:00

Location: The University of Adelaide

Cost: Delegate: $300, Student: $100

Catering: Morning tea supplied

Maximum capacity: 25

Description
After attending this workshops, you’ll possess all the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to turn your research into a simple and beautiful animation video. In addition to learning how to use animation software, you’ll also benefit by learning the key principles of storytelling and communication through graphics. This workshop is sure to inspire and empower you to positively impact the world with your science

This workshop is built around the case study of the three-time award-winning video “Lost at Sea.”

Learn how to turn your science into a simple story that connects with your audience.

Fishing in Commonwealth waters

Organisers: Dr Tim Lynch, Carlie Devine

Time: 10:30 – 16:30

Location: The University of Adelaide

Cost: Free

Catering: Lunch supplied

Maximum capacity: 30

Description: Australia’s recreational fishing sector is moving further offshore in pursuit of fishing opportunities, which places them in areas managed by the Australian Government. As recreational fishers are key stakeholders in marine management a better understanding of their motivations and values are required to effectively inform administration of the EPBC Act – such as effects on Matters of National Environmental Significance – use of Australian Marine Parks and Commonwealth managed commercial fisheries. Most recreational fisheries research is state based and we will both assess and contrast the general utility of existing state datasets from WA and NSW for quantifying recreational fishing in adjacent Commonwealth waters. At two case study sites – the Hunter and Ningaloo AMP – we will also test if state data can be downscaled to example areas of interest.

Description: Since 2006, IMOS has been routinely operating a wide range of observing equipment throughout Australia’s coastal and open oceans, making all of its data accessible to the marine and climate science community, other stakeholders and users, and international collaborators. This workshop is to assist the scientific community to discover, access, download, use and understand the potential of the data. Presentations will be made by key leaders responsible for the collection and dissemination of the data with examples of how they have used the data sets to further their research. Hands on guided tutorials will show how the AODN portal can be used and a summary of tools that are available to analyse the data. For more information click here.

**CANCELLED** Prepare high quality applications for sea time on the Marine National Facility Research Vessel Investigator

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO LOW NUMBERS.

Organisers: Ben Rae, Carolyn Seelen

Time: 13:30-15:30

Location: The University of Adelaide

Cost: Free

Catering: None

Maximum capacity: 40

Description
The introduction of the multidisciplinary research vessel Investigator has attracted an increase in demand for the limited time available on the ship. Applications for sea time are assessed by the National Benefit Assessment Panel (NBAP) and the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) against specific criteria. This workshop will provide the scientific community the opportunity to hear from a panel of members of the SAC, NBAP, MNF Steering Committee members and previously successful Chief Scientists who will convey what constitutes a high quality application; provide a greater understanding of the evaluation criteria; describe how applications are assessed; and, share examples of successful proposals.